A series of storms will affect the Pacific Northwest from late this week into early next week. The third storm in the series is projected to bring clouds and wet weather to the Seattle-Tacoma area for a time on Sunday.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Bernie Rayno, "The speed of the storm will determine whether or not steady rain continues or tapers to showers in coastal Washington state."

"At this time, it appears the heaviest and steadiest rain will have ended by the time the game starts," Rayno said.

While the stadium at CenturyLink Field will offer some protection for fans during the game between the Packers and the Seahawks, a couple of showers are in the offing on Sunday afternoon.

A breeze from the south to start the day averaging 10-20 mph should ease up during the afternoon at Seattle. Temperatures are forecast to be in the lower 50s, or about 5 degrees Fahrenheit above average for the middle of January in Seattle.

While the overall weather pattern across much of the nation will be mild this weekend, cold air lingering over southeastern Canada may be close enough to cause some trouble 2,500 miles farther east on Sunday, during the AFC Championship game at Foxboro, Massachusetts.

A storm will form along the Atlantic coast on Sunday. How close to the coast the storm forms will determine the extent of rain and possibly wet snow in the Northeast.

Unless the storm strengthens dramatically and draws in a great deal of cold air, the storm will bring rain to southeastern New England.

According to AccuWeather Senior Meteorologist Dave Dombek, "Rain is highly likely during all or most of the AFC Championship game Sunday evening, and some of the rain could be heavy with temperatures falling through the 40s."

Winds are forecast to increase from the south and southeast to 10-20 mph Sunday evening at Foxboro.

The average high in Foxboro during mid-January is in the middle 30s F.

For tailgating ahead of the game, the first raindrops will probably move in during the early afternoon hours, Dombek said.

Only if the storm remains very weak will rain skip out to the east and spare players, fans and referees the wet weather Sunday evening.

Thumbnail image: New England Patriots quarterback Tom Brady (12) talks with Seattle Seahawks quarterback Russell Wilson after an NFL football game, Sunday, Oct. 14, 2012, in Seattle. The Seahawks won 24-23. Depending on the outcome of the games this weekend, the two teams could face each other in the Super Bowl on Feb. 1, 2015. (AP Photo/Elaine Thompson)